Our lives revolve around screens — most of us switch between our laptops, desktops, and smartphones throughout the day, and some people opt for tablets as an alternative or complementary device. (I have two iMacs, a MacBook, an iPad, and an iPhone.)
The best tablets: iPads are great, but have you tried literally anything else?
Although not necessary, tablets make working or just watching a show or movie easier in on-the-go situations. It’s way more convenient to whip out a tablet on the subway than it is to pull out a laptop.
If you’re on the lookout for a new tablet, we’ve rounded up the best deals on Amazon right now.
Here are our top picks:
Best iPad deal
Why we like it
The Apple iPad (9th gen) is Mashable’s top pick for the best tablet “for most people.” What this means is that you don’t need to be a power user or have lofty expectations for a tablet to get great value out of the standard iPad.
This model has a 10.2-inch Retina display, 64GB of storage, and an all-day battery life for long commutes or late-night scroll sessions. The A13 Bionic chip means it can handle daily tasks and light gaming without crashing, and the iPadOS software lets you run multiple apps at once.
The iPad (9th gen) is compatible with the Apple Pencil (1st gen) and Smart Keyboard, which makes it a decent laptop alternative in a pinch, though we wouldn’t recommend it for serious work.
If you’re looking for a tablet for light web browsing, streaming, e-books, and casual gaming, this iPad is a solid choice.
More iPad deals
Apple iPad 10th generation 10.9-inch (A14, 64GB, WiFi) — $319.99
$349(save $29.01)Apple iPad Air 13-inch (M2, 256GB, WiFi) — $839
$899(save $60)Apple iPad Pro 11-Inch (M4, 256GB, WiFi) — $919
$999(save $80)Apple iPad Pro 13-Inch (M4, 1TB, WiFi) — $1,749
$1,899(save $150)
Best Samsung Galaxy Tab deal
Why we like it
If you prefer Android, the Samsung Galaxy Tab A9+ 11-inch tablet is on sale for $179. That’s a pretty good deal for a larger, high-res display and entertainment-focused tablet.
The Galaxy Tab A9+ has an 11-inch screen for streaming movies or playing mobile games. It also features Dolby Atmos speakers, so you can really get into what you’re watching. If this tablet is for your little one, the Samsung Kids app is a built-in feature that provides a safe, curated space for them to play.
Mashable Deals
This tablet is slim, durable, and lightweight enough to hold comfortably for hours. The Quick Share feature makes sending and receiving files between devices easy in case you’re trying to move things around on the go.
More Samsung Galaxy Tab deals
Best budget deal
Why we like it
OK, we know Lenovo isn’t exactly a powerhouse when it comes to tablets. But if you need a super cheap tablet for basic tasks, the Lenovo Tab M8 (4th gen) is currently on sale for just $77.71.
This tablet only has 32GB of storage, but if you’re not saving a ton of apps and games, that should be enough for occasional web browsing, streaming, and reading. It has an 8-inch HD display, so the screen quality won’t blow you away, but it’s decent enough for casual use. And with 16 hours of battery life, it should get you through a long flight or just a quiet night at home.
For the price, it’s a good option if you need an affordable tablet that can handle basic tasks.
